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Obstacles for LGBTQ Youth to Get Help

Many LGBTQ teens and 20-somethings believe that no one will help them because they are transgender or in a same-sex relationship. If you’re LGBTQ, you may face additional obstacles when asking for help:

Shame or embarrassment. You may be struggling with your own internalized homophobia or shame about your sexual orientation or gender-identity. Your abusive partner may attempt to use this shame to exert power and control over you. They may try to make you feel guilty about yourself by calling you names that play on sexuality or gender insecurities (like saying you’re “not man enough”) or pressuring you into sexual acts that you’re not comfortable with by saying that’s what’s “normal” in your kind of relationship.

Fear of not being believed or taken seriously. You may worry that if you report abuse, you will encounter common stereotypes like violence between LGBTQ partners is always mutual, abuse doesn’t occur in lesbian relationships, only the physically bigger partner can be abusive or LGBTQ relationships are inherently unhealthy. Your partner may exploit this fear, trying to convince you that no one will take an LGBTQ victim seriously. This can happen, but not always. At loveisrespect, we will always take you seriously and can connect you to others who’ll do the same.

Fear of retaliation, harassment, rejection or bullying. If you are not yet out to everyone, your abusive dating partner may threaten to tell your secret to people who will make your life more difficult once they know. You may also fear that seeking help will make you a target of public ridicule, retaliation, harassment or bullying. Your abusive partner may exploit these fears to isolate you and keep you in the relationship.

Good intentions. As part of the LGBTQ community, you may fear that disclosing the abuse will make everyone look bad. Your partner may even use this against you, making you feel guilty for getting help. For example, if your partner’s not out, they may tell you that you can’t report the abuse without breaking the trust of everyone in your group. If this is happening to you, chat with a peer advocate or contact one of our LGBTQ referrals. We’ll listen, help you understand what’s happening and brainstorm ways to cope.

Less legal protection. You may be unaware that you have legal options for protection — including obtaining a restraining or protective order. Although laws vary from state to state, and some specifically restrict restraining orders to heterosexual couples, most states have gender-neutral laws that do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Learn about your state’s laws.

Loss of community. If you’re part of a religious community or traditional family, you may worry that disclosing your relationship — let alone the abuse you’re experiencing — may make the situation worse. Also, in your small LGBTQ community, it may feel like there’s nowhere to turn. Check out our tips for building a support system that can help you through this difficult time.

Regardless of these obstacles, you deserve to be safe and healthy. We can help. Chat with a peer advocate for more information.

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About

Loveisrespect is the ultimate resource to empower youth to prevent and end dating abuse. It is a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Exempted from federal income tax under the provisions of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Our Sponsors

This project was supported by Grant Number 90EV0426 from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any or its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitations, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

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